These guys who played in the National League were terrific athletes for their time. The only professional team sport back then was baseball. Every town had a team and that town's best athletes played baseball, and nothing really else. Best players on the town teams (that town's best athletes) went to play semi-pro/indy league ball, the best players from those teams went on to the minor leagues in the Eastern League and Western League, the best players from those teams went on into the National League. There were less teams and roster spots were fewer back then, so it was especially hard to bust into the majors back then. This is a pic of the New York Giants from the early 1890's. Those guys look to be some pretty strapping fella's. http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5018/oldballid2.jpg Giambi is older than I thought.